To explain why I mic from the bottom - artist requirements after microphones have hit their pans. Sending a drum back to The Pan Yard is expensive.
Whatever perceived difference in sound quality is made up for by reduced liability and better sight lines.
If the artist requests overhead micing I'll do it, but my preference is to keep their instruments free of damage. A mic can fall for several reasons - poor fitting stand adapter, boom clutch, etc, but actions of the artists or on stage guests (hitting the stands or booms, moving them after approving the placement, pulling or tripping on cables no matter how dressed) are factors, too.
I was put on notice about damage the first time I ever mic'd a steel drum and have mic'd from the bottom ever since for all the reasons you stated Tim.
